Notre Dame and Last Dinner in Paris

On our last day in Paris, after coming back from Angers, we decided we wanted to see the Notre Dame Chapel, a historic Roman Catholic cathedral, one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Notre Dame is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris.

The entrance and door to the cathedral

Being that I had never been in a Catholic cathedral, ever, ever before in Europe… my jaw about dropped when I entered the space. The ceilings were so high, the stained glass so magnificent, the architecture so complex. Photos just do not do justice, at all. There was a service going on while we were there, and I am not Catholic, but it was amazing how many people were sitting there worshiping God in such a large space.

My favorite photo I took inside the chapel

This photo of the stain glass, with just one of the small window panes open, makes me think of this Christian quote, “When one door closes, another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which opens for us.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell

They had candle devotions (not sure what this is called) set up everywhere in the chapel. We wanted to explore more of Notre Dame, but they kept bringing the Priest in and out, and so they kept locking the gate that everyone wants to get through during the service… so, we decided to leave, and Brian even got us a cab home because I was exhausted. We did a lot of walking that day! He kept giving me trouble for being tired, since I am Miss Half Marathon runner. Ha, ha!

So, after Notre Dame we went back to the hotel, I called the kids and I took a nice long nap… until 8:30pm! That is when Brian made me get up so we could have one last dinner in Paris! I really didn’t want to get up, I was so tired, I’d rather starve… but, I am glad I did get up, because the meal was delicious! We went to La Rotonde, a restaurant that the hotel made reservations for us when Brian told them we needed somewhere that could fit us in last minute. It was so a comfortable, too, for poor tired me, they had red booths to sit in, which I did! (I think Brian got the chair side, though, so sorry!)

I needed some caffeine at dinner, so I ordered a Coke before the wine came out with dinner. I love how the French serve Coke, in glass bottles with a glass with ice and a straw. So fancy!

Everything was really delicious, here is our appetizer, Bruschetta.

My side salad – sorry photo is blurry

I ordered shrimp, it was THE best SHRIMP ever! It really was. And, presented so nicely.

Lastly, chocolate dessert.

Oh, Paris, I will miss you! Brian and I have already decided, we will definitely be going back to Paris. When? We aren’t sure… but, someday!